Drug workshop in Montclair to sound an alarm

This is an article in The Montclair Times' series on safety- and security-related issues involving Montclair students and schools.

The Montclair School District is cosponsoring a workshop for parents on the dangers of marijuana abuse by preteens.

The statistics are eye-opening.

According to drug abuse agencies and law enforcement officials, marijuana use among teens nationwide is increasing.

A 2010 study of drug use by teens funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse indicates that more than 27 percent of 10th grade students have used marijuana at least once in the year prior to the survey.

The results were even more alarming for younger teens who were surveyed. The NIDA-supported study shows that nearly 14 percent of eighth-graders admit to abusing marijuana.

"The district wants to be proactive," Harrison said. "We want to alert our parents to the trends, and we want to provide them with information that will be helpful."

With that aim in mind, the Montclair School District has joined with Montclair's Health and Wellness Partnership and will conduct "Marijuana and the Middle School Student - It Starts Here," a two-hour workshop, on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 7 to 9 p.m.

It will be held in the Assembly Room of Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave.

Health and Wellness Partnership Associate Director Karen Straim said the workshop will bring together educators, healthcare professionals, school assistance counselors, law enforcement members, parents and students for a panel discussion on the dangers of teen marijuana use.

"Marijuana has a reputation as a benign drug, but recent scientific studies show that early and prolonged marijuana use is bad for the teenage brain," Straim said.

"Even though parents may think that their kids are not listening, research shows that parents have a major influence on their children's decision not to use drugs," she added.

District Parent Coordinator Sylvia Bryant said the session will be directed to parents of middle school students, but that all parents of school-aged children are welcome to attend.

The session will also be open to students.

Bryant said district officials received positive feedback following a similar workshop held last year that was aimed at the parents of high school students.

"The stakes are even higher now," said Bryant, noting that recent studies warn that even short-term marijuana use can include distorted perceptions, memory impairment, and difficulty in thinking and solving problems.

According to Joanne Aidala, director of the Health and Wellness Partnership, the workshop will also provide information on drug abuse prevention resources available in the district and the community.

Aidala said parents who attend the session and have additional questions will be able to get further information at the COPE Center in Montclair which intends to hold follow-up workshops. She said interested parents should visit www.copecenter.net for more information, or call Mary Lysinger at the COPE Center: 973-783-6655.

Resources |for parents

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers marijuana facts at www.drugabuse.gov/publications|/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know

• The Partnership for a Drug-free America offers parents a tool kit for talking to children about alcohol and drug abuse at www.timetotalk.org

• View a video that encourages parents to be clear and direct in talking with their teens about marijuana: www.youtube.com /watch?v=0zqUecnFOh4

This is an article in The Montclair Times' series on safety- and security-related issues involving Montclair students and schools.

The statistics are eye-opening.

According to drug abuse agencies and law enforcement officials, marijuana use among teens nationwide is increasing.

A 2010 study of drug use by teens funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse indicates that more than 27 percent of 10th grade students have used marijuana at least once in the year prior to the survey.

The results were even more alarming for younger teens who were surveyed. The NIDA-supported study shows that nearly 14 percent of eighth-graders admit to abusing marijuana.

"The district wants to be proactive," Harrison said. "We want to alert our parents to the trends, and we want to provide them with information that will be helpful."

With that aim in mind, the Montclair School District has joined with Montclair's Health and Wellness Partnership and will conduct "Marijuana and the Middle School Student - It Starts Here," a two-hour workshop, on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 7 to 9 p.m.

It will be held in the Assembly Room of Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave.

Health and Wellness Partnership Associate Director Karen Straim said the workshop will bring together educators, healthcare professionals, school assistance counselors, law enforcement members, parents and students for a panel discussion on the dangers of teen marijuana use.

"Marijuana has a reputation as a benign drug, but recent scientific studies show that early and prolonged marijuana use is bad for the teenage brain," Straim said.

"Even though parents may think that their kids are not listening, research shows that parents have a major influence on their children's decision not to use drugs," she added.

District Parent Coordinator Sylvia Bryant said the session will be directed to parents of middle school students, but that all parents of school-aged children are welcome to attend.

The session will also be open to students.

Bryant said district officials received positive feedback following a similar workshop held last year that was aimed at the parents of high school students.

"The stakes are even higher now," said Bryant, noting that recent studies warn that even short-term marijuana use can include distorted perceptions, memory impairment, and difficulty in thinking and solving problems.

According to Joanne Aidala, director of the Health and Wellness Partnership, the workshop will also provide information on drug abuse prevention resources available in the district and the community.

Aidala said parents who attend the session and have additional questions will be able to get further information at the COPE Center in Montclair which intends to hold follow-up workshops. She said interested parents should visit www.copecenter.net for more information, or call Mary Lysinger at the COPE Center: 973-783-6655.

Resources |for parents

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers marijuana facts at www.drugabuse.gov/publications|/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know

• The Partnership for a Drug-free America offers parents a tool kit for talking to children about alcohol and drug abuse at www.timetotalk.org